One of Manchester United’s new coaches under Michael Carrick put his career first when presented with a huge opportunity
Steve Holland’s wife still hasn’t forgiven the new Manchester United head coach after he cut their family holiday short to join the Chelsea coaching staff.
Holland was appointed to his new role at Old Trafford earlier this month as part of the backroom staff assembled by Michael Carrick, who is the interim first-team head coach until the end of this season.
The 55-year-old was previously assistant manager to England boss Gareth Southgate between 2016 and 2024, during which time the Three Lions reached two major tournament finals. After the Euro 2024 defeat to Spain and Southgate’s resignation, Holland was appointed as head coach of J1 League club Yokohama F. Marinos, where he was sacked in April of last year.
Nevertheless, Holland has made an impressive start at United, with the side securing wins against Manchester City and Arsenal in his first two games since joining. And his dedication to his job cannot be underestimated, even since his days at Chelsea.
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The Stockport-born tactician was Chelsea’s reserve team manager from August 2009 and was called up to the first-team by Andre Villas-Boas to serve as his assistant in June 2011. Upon receiving the phone call, Holland, who was on holiday, wasted no time in returning to the UK – much to his wife’s displeasure.
“I was on holiday in Spain,” recalled Holland. “I took the call on day two and returned home on day three. My wife still reminds me of that regularly.”
Villas-Boas was sacked after nine months back in 2012 but Holland kept his job. The next manager, Roberto di Matteo, won the Champions League but was dismissed after just eight months.
He survived the tenures of various fiery managers that came and went, including Rafael Benitez, Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink, quietly impressing with his attention to detail and ability to deal with intense pressure.
Holland eventually quit Chelsea to concentrate solely on England after the Blues won the Premier League in Antonio Conte’s first season at the helm.
“At a big club, every day is a drama,” Holland later told the Coaches Voice. “It is never quite as bad as it is made out to be but your ability to handle these moments are decisive.
“My experience of life at Chelsea has taught me it is about winning. That winning mentality doesn’t include feeling sorry for yourself or making excuses. It means you analyse and push to do better next time.”
One source shed light on the calibre of coach United now have at their disposal by telling the BBC: “Football is his life. Whether it’s Champions League, thoughts on players or something else, he has a hell of a brain when it comes to football detail.”
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.